J.J. Watt one of three finalists for Walter Payton Man of the Year Award

This Oct. 8, 2017, photo shows Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt warming up before an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Houston. Watt, along with Greg Olsen and Benjamin Watson, is a finalist for the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year award. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, file)(Photo: The Associated Press)

Former Pewaukee High School and current Houston Texans star JJ Watt has received considerable attention this season for his work off the field, and he's a finalist for yet another prestigious honor.

Watt is one of three finalists for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award. The winner will be announced Feb. 3 (the night before Super Bowl LII) as part of the NFL Honors event held in Minneapolis.

The award, established in 1999, recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service activities as well as excellence on the field.

Humbled & honored to even be mentioned in the same breath as Walter Payton. Also happy to share the nomination with @BenjaminSWatson and @gregolsen88 who are both extremely deserving. This is so much bigger than just one man. It’s about the good in all of humanity.

Watt's on-field season was cut short by a major leg injury, but by then, he had already been a national story by raising $37 million for Hurricane Harvey disaster relief through his Justin J. Watt Foundation.

The hurricane left billions of dollars of damage in its wake when it descended upon the Houston area in August. Watt took to social media initially looking to raise $200,000 for hurricane relief.

The response he received was overwhelming. More than 200,000 donors contributed to his foundation for the relief efforts. Watt later announced that a majority of the money will be divided among four nonprofits assisting in the recovery: Americares, Feeding America, SBP and Save the Children.

The three Watt brothers (from left) T.J., J.J. and Derek are portrayed in a bobblehead produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum. Submitted photo by National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum

J.J. Watt, using a cane as he continues his recovery from a tibial plateau fracture, helped raise more than $36 million for relief after starting the humanitarian effort with a goal of $250,000. Wendell Cruz, USA TODAY Sports

Jose Altuve (left), who helped lead the Houston Astros to their first World Series, and J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans, who raised money for Hurricane Harvey relief, share the 2017 Sports Illustrated Sportspersons of the Year honor. Wendell Cruz, USA TODAY Sports

This image provided by Sports Illustrated shows the cover for the December issue of the magazine, featuring Houston Astros' Jose Altuve, left, and Houston Texans' J.J. Watt. On Monday, Dec. 4, 2017, the two were honored by Sports Illustrated when they were given the magazines prestigious Sportsperson of the Year award. (Sports Illustrated via AP) ORG XMIT: NYJK211 AP

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 27: NFL player J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans throws out the ceremonial first pitch before game three of the 2017 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Minute Maid Park on October 27, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775063337 ORIG FILE ID: 867237714 Getty Images

Olsen founded Receptions Research, a foundation focused on cancer research and education programming. Watson's One More Foundation has undertaken a number of pursuits, including a partnership with the International Justice Mission to combat human trafficking.

Younger brother's rookie year ends

T.J. Watt closed his rookie campaign in the NFL with his first taste of the playoffs.

Watt's season came to an end at the hands of the upstart Jacksonville Jaguars on Jan. 14 in an AFC divisional round playoff game, 45-42. Watt finished the game with one solo tackle and one assist.

Watt, who was taken with the 30th pick in the first round of the draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this year, played in 15 games during the regular season and posted seven sacks, 39 tackles, a forced fumble and an interception.

Watt made enough of an impression at starting right outside linebacker that the Steelers felt comfortable cutting veteran James Harrison, who is now headed to the Super Bowl with the New England Patriots.

Watt will also be looked upon with great interest by Packers fans in the near future, not just because he has Wisconsin roots. The Packers famously traded out of the 29th pick, with Watt available and a seemingly attractive option for Green Bay's defense, thus giving Pittsburgh a chance at Watt with No. 30. The Packers ultimately took Kevin King with the pick they acquired in exchange from the Cleveland Browns, the first pick of the second round, and later took another Badgers linebacker in Vince Biegel with the fourth-round selection obtained in the deal.

High School Sports Awards

Ready for the biggest night in prep sports? The Journal Sentinel High School Sports Awards will be at 6 p.m., May 14, at the Pabst Theater. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will be the guest speaker. Tickets are $23.50.

High School Sports Awards

Ready for the biggest night in prep sports? The Journal Sentinel High School Sports Awards will be at 6 p.m., May 14, at the Pabst Theater. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will be the guest speaker. Tickets are $23.50.